A news conference is planned for Thursday in Knoxville to introduce Pruitt, who replaces Butch Jones.

Pruitt, an Alabama native, has been on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama the past two seasons, directing one of the best defenses in the country.

Pruitt left Alabama after the 2012 season to be Florida State's defensive coordinator in 2013 and helped the Seminoles win a national championship.

Twice Pruitt has been named a finalist for the Broyles Award, which goes annually to the top college football assistant coach.

It's uncertain whether or not Pruitt will continue out his role at Alabama for the remainder of the season or move on to Tennessee immediately.

Pruitt is 43 years old and a native of Alabama.

Per ESPN's Mark Schlabach, Georgia outside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer could be a replacement for Pruitt, if and when he becomes Tennessee's coach. "I see him getting talent to Tennessee". Numerous names emerged throughout the process, including Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, who reportedly accepted the job.

Later, former Vols offensive coordinator David Cutcliffee rebuffed Tennessee's advances and then Mike Gundy turned down a reported $42 million deal to stay at Oklahoma State.

Pruitt inherits a Tennessee program that is seeking to return to the prominence it enjoyed in the 1990s and early 2000s under Fulmer. During that time, the Crimson Tide appeared in the College Football Playoff both years, losing to Clemson in the national championship game in 2016. It closed the year with a 42-24 loss to Vanderbilt, the fourth time in the last six years the Vols lost to the in-state rival they've historically dominated.

Possible Tennessee recruits have already begun coming out in support of joining Pruitt's team.

Austria Is Now 16th European Country to Grant Marriage EqualityDec 07, 2017 - 02:36
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Amazon launches Prime membership for S'poreDec 07, 2017 - 02:31
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Ex-Yemen President Saleh killed in Houthi attackDec 06, 2017 - 01:08
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Starbucks is opening a store in China every 15 hoursDec 06, 2017 - 01:00
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House of Cards to resume shooting in 2018 without Kevin SpaceyDec 06, 2017 - 00:53
The final season will consist of eight episodes, instead of the typical 13 episodes that seasons one through five consisted of. How will they write Spacey out of the script but keep the storyline going? Producer Media Rights Capital suspended him.

Special needs kids get to meet Santa at Bay Park Square MallDec 05, 2017 - 02:31
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How Facebook made the Winkevoss twins Bitcoin BILLIONARES!Dec 05, 2017 - 02:20
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Supermoon photos: See wonderful shots of 2017 lunar spectacleDec 05, 2017 - 02:17
The Moon will lose its brightness and take on an eerie, fainter-than-normal glow from the scant sunlight, giving it a reddish hue. A supermoon is a full moon that is at or near (90 percent of) its closest point in its orbit around Earth (perigee).

Huskies to face Penn State in Fiesta BowlDec 05, 2017 - 01:44
The Fiesta Bowl is an interesting bowl placement for PSU, as they have not played in one since 1997, when they defeated Texas. Penn State's 1982 national title was also preceded by a 26-10 win over USC in the Fiesta Bowl to close out the 1981 season.